33 Responses to “Case Study, Anorexic Cat”

Sounds, unfortunately, like liver failure. I wish I knew the treatment options, because one of my kitties died from it two years ago. At the young age of 10 — very sad — still breaks my heart to think of Daisy and how she suffered.

I think she may have hairballs in her stomach making her think she is full. I would try to force feed her some canned PUMPKIN, one bite st a time even in I had to use a syringe to get it down her throat. Do this a few times a day for two or three days and see if doesn’t correct her appetite.

my daughter’s cat had same symptoms as this. she just stop eating and the treatment was sub q fluids and force feed very small amounts of high quality can food until she started eating on her own. it was fatty liver disease.

Gussie has problems with her liver. An exact diagosis can’t be made with this inforamtion.
It is not known with this information if it primary or the result of some other cause.
With the yellow sclera, there is jaundice.

I would start off with the fluids, and Denamarin, and frequent small feedings and see if she inproves.

Possibly hepatic disease. Confirm with liver biopsy while under light anesthetic. Force feed nutrients by tube done by vet, then by caretaker a formula prescribed by syringe for next 6 – 8 weeks.Then slowly try introducing foods to see if appetite has returned. Also could be cancer of the liver or pancreatic disease.

I agree with most of the above that it is probably liver diease. Treating it would depend on the cause of liver disease. I would suggest (if cost is no object) an ultrasound and xrays.
In the meantime sub Q fluids, milk thistle and if necessary force feeding to get her to start eating again.

sounds like liver damage tumor or fatty liver. very toxic liver.
Use HBA Plus for liver function. Will clean up the liver. HBA PLUS is a powerful liver detoxifier available. Liver cleansing is especially important as most pet medications today can be toxic to the liver. Sharon

I forgot to mention to force fluids a small amount at a time give pedialte for dehydration.
maybe it could be cholangiohepatitis. Biopsy of the liver for proof. The kidneys and liver works together to push toxin out of the body thats why it important to push fluids either manual or IV.
Again HBA Plus is a good liver detoxifier.
Sharon

Id also start the nosode for Feline Infectious Peritonitis which is now available as a homeopathic remedy. 30C potency in an economy 1 oz bottle of 800 Pellets. The FIP virus (FIPV) is very similar to the coronavirus that causes a transient, usually mild, self-limiting diarrhea (Feline Enteric Corona Virus, FECV). In fact, there is considerable evidence that FECV actually mutates to FIPV in individual. Suggested dose is 3 pellets at one time placed on top of moist food. Repeat 1 to 2 times daily as needed for symptom relief.

Not knowing what all the tests are by just the letters, I would guess that it is a blocked bile duct, and that the next step would be to x-ray/ct/ultrasound or whatever, to acertain if it can be cleared, and go from there. If it can be cleared surgically, then post op milk thistle would help in the recovery of the damage to the liver.

1. Hepatic lipidosis developing into liver failure
2. Fluid therapy and force feeding through stomach tube because he is not eating at all. Getting food (lots of high quality protein) into the body is the most important thing to do to reduce and reverse metabolic dysfunction and liver tissue damage (if caught early enough). Vet could supplement food with vitamin B complex, cobalamin, thiamine, vit E, L-carnitine & taurine. The owners could get a x-ray & ultrasound to see if liver is enlarged & contains fat deposits but ultimately, a biopsy is required to confirm disease. I don’t think there is an infection because the WBC is not very high.

I’d rule out a biliary tract infection. Possible cancer, though not my first choice. Can’t totally rule out that the animal didn’t get into a toxin. So, my choice is a liver disorder. To clarify…

Probable diagnosis:
I don’t see the albumin nor AST levels listed. Symptom of jaundice and not eating, along with results showing high bilirubin, high ALP, low potassium and low range BUN, I would say it is Hepatic Lipidosis – Fatty liver.

This cat needs nutrition… perhaps some parenteral nutrients – high protein w/ caloric density along with fluid and electrolytes. I would also add a holistic regime of Milk Thistle to the mix when possible. For further support after stablized, I would use VivoZeoComplete as an anti-inflammatory, an immunity builder, blood circulation enhancer and continued detoxifier.

I am no expert but my understanding of Gussie’s test results and the length of time she has been offf her food would indicate a liver problem with a secondary infection. WBC not high enough to imply cancer. I am presuaming that her mouth and throat were checked to see that nothing is stuck. I would not suggest a general anesthetic for an older ill cat but if exceptionally lethargic Gussie might be submit to an X-ray without anesthetic. Apart from Milk Thistle not sure of treatment but would suggest subcutaneous fluids immediately to hydrate. Get well soon Gussie.

I would initially do an ultra sound to check her liver, kidneys, gall bladder, bile duct, pancreas and spleen for any blockage, inflammation and/or tumours. Treatment will depend on what is found. If nothing is found (as is possible)or to support her post-operatively, give her Milk Thistle (one eighth the adult dosage); 10mg of multi B vitamins; 1mg/lb of Choline (= 9mg for Gussie as she will presumably have lost a little more weight by now); an amino acid supplement containing: L-Cysteine 12.5mg, and 125mg each of L-Methionine, L-Glutathione, L-Arginine and L-Carnitine (these will help reduce the need for protein metabolism); if she has fatty liver disease, then a quarter teaspoon of lecithin will help fat metabolism; homoeopathic cholesterinum is especially helpful for bile duct obstruction or fatty liver disease – try 3x to start, but if this doesn’t work, change to 3C. (My thanks to Don Hamilton’s book Homoeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs for this information!)For rehydration, give 10ml of Pro-Ma Optimum Health Aloe Vera Juice (this has the bitter aloes filleted out and is palatable to animals and there is a distributor in Canada) every two or three hours until Gussie’s hydration is largely back to normal, then three times a day until she is fully recovered, and then 10ml daily ongoing. Long term she should be fed a diet lower in protein and fat than before her illness.
I wish Gussie a speedy and full recovery and her human and animal family a less stressful time in future.

hi, the diagnosis is liver disease, though there are no abnormalities found on palpation, but the jaundice is a clear indication. the liver is the organ to look at, and line of treatment will be to continue with lactated ringer, give appetite stimulants and place the cat on a low protein diet.